WASHINGTON. 

After  Hall  &  Sons'  Engraving  from  the  St.  Memin  Crayon. 


THE  OBELISK 

AND  ITS  VOICES; 


THE  INNER  FACINGS 

OF  THE 

WASHINGTON  MONUMENT 

WITH  THEIR  LESSONS. 


BY 

HENRY  B.  CARRINGTON,  U.  S.  A., 

AUTHOR  OF 

BATTLES  OF  THE  AMERICAN  REVOLUTION,  ETC. 


For  the  stone  shall  cry  out  of  the  wall."  —  Habakkuk,  Chapter  II.,  Verse  11. 


BOSTON: 
LEE   AND   SHEPARD,  PUBLISHERS, 
New  York,  Charles  T.  Dillingham. 
1887. 


Note.  —  "  The  Stone  which  cry  out  of  the  wall "  suggest  the  names  of  Wash- 
ington's Successors.  It  was  a  pleasant  fancy  to  use  them  in  the  Arabesque  margin 
of. the  outside  Title:  —  thus,  on  the  left,  from  Jefferson  to  Monroe;  on  the  right, 
from  Polk  to  Arthur,  with  Cleveland  at  the  base  of  the  centre ;  at  the  top,  Harry 
Clay,  Patrick  Henry  and  Calhoun  ;  under  the  Title,  In  honore  patris  ejus  patrceP 
Also,  at  the  base.  Chase,  Webster,  Winthrop;  with  other  names  anywhere,  as  I 
pleased,  such  as  Morton,  Uncas,  etc.,  etc. 

H.  B.  C. 


COPYRIGHTED 
BY 

HENRY  B.  CARRINGTON. 
1887. 


INDEX 

rontispiece.   Portrait,  irom  bt.  Memm  Urayon. 

PAGE. 

ii. 

Dedication. 

V. 

rreiace. 

vii. 

History  of  The  Obelisk. 

ix. 

Washington's  Accounts.  (Fac-Simile.) 

xiv. 

li^ngraving  from  taneuil  Hall  Ficture. 

xvi. 

Biographical. 

2,  4 

In  Camp  beiore  Boston,  1775. 

b 

In  Camp  beiore  Boston,  1776. 

8 

At  -brooKiyn,  l^ong  Isianci,  ino. 

1  o 
lU 

As  a  Dictator. 

12 

Jbirst  JNevv  Jersey  Campaign. 

14 

Contrasts  at  Wnite  rlams,  17  <o  ana  Ino. 

lb 

Battle  ot  Crermantown. 

18 

Irymg  limes  in  J  Mo. 

OA 

Congress  is  deceived. 

Imrteen  Sovereignties  will  not  do! 

24 

l^ngravmg.    Intoning  Granite. 

26 

Orders  oi  Louis  XVI. 

28 

Ihe  grand  leiiit  Movement. 

30 

Orders  to  the  Allied  Armies. 

QO 

Cessation  oi  Hostilities. 

34 

Engraving.     Washington  and  the  l*lag. 

36 

Lines  by  Kev.  William  Jay. 

o  o 

38 

Gov.  rownall  s  Prediction. 

Battle  of  Grreat  Meadows. 

42 

Organization  of  the  Army. 

44 

Washington.    Memorial  Tribute. 

46 

vi. 

PREFACE. 


The  thoughtful  pilgrim  in  foreign  lands,  who  measures  all 
objects  of  interest  by  their  relations  to  the  past  history  of  the 
countries  visited,  is  strongly  impressed  by  the  gradual  con- 
vergence of  all  changes  toward  a  closer  commercial  and 
social  relationship. 

A  recent  ascent  of  the  Washington  Monument,  inner  faced 
as  it  is,  with  memorial  bronzes,  marbles  and  tablets  by  which 
the  nations  of  the  Old  World  have  paid  tribute  to  the  recog- 
nized Father  of  the  Great  Republic  of  the  New,  so  vividly 
deepened  this  sentiment,  that  every  stone  which  claimed 
association  with  the  early  civilization  and  the  historical  em- 
pires of  the  past  seemed  burdened  with  this  earnest  and 
plaintive  refrain,  —  Washington,  Washington,  Friend  of  Man  ! 
From  the  dust  of  bygone  ages,  hither  we  come,  —  to  live 
again,  through  Thee ! 

The  kind  suggestions  of  Col.  Casey,  in  a  pencil  memoran- 
dum to  his  card,  —  "Take  a  half-dozen  candles  with  you," 
was  appreciated,  when  it  was  found  that  Congress  had  not 
supplied  the  funds  for  working  the  Electric  Light  Appara- 
tus, with  which  the  Obelisk  is  equipped. 

vii. 


The  visitor  who  only  gratifies  his  desire  to  enjoy  the 
wonderful  panorama  which  the  elevation  of  five  hundred  feet 
develops,  loses  the  chief  fruition  of  this  dutiful  pilgrimage. 

The  contrast  from  day  to  darkness  is  not  so  impressive 
as  the  moment,  when  his  eye,  accommodated  to  the  feeble 
light,  begins  to  pick  out  words  and  characters  that  have 
been  borne  from  the  oldest  nations  and  oldest  ruins  of 
which  there  is  historic  record.  Then,  all  history  takes  on 
its  unit  value,  and  the  consensus  of  all  patriotic  souls 
throughout  the  world,  in  their  judgment  of  Washington,  is 
met  by  the  responsive  prayer,  that  they  may  soon  realize 
the  hopes  which  have  been  inspired  through  his  example. 

The  sudden  transition  from  the  interior  to  the  summit 
of  the  monument,  is  equally  unsatisfactory  with  the  first 
entrance.  The  palm  of  the  hand,  casually  placed  upon 
the  sill  of  an  opening  on  either  face,  will  sweep  away  all 
there  is  of  the  Nation's  Capital  and  all  its  architectural 
pretensions. 

As  the  hot  temper  of  contemporary  partizans,  during  -  the 
life  of  Washington,  deferred  until  these  later  times  a  clear 
view  of  the  grandeur  of  his  unselfish  devotion  to  Liberty, 
so  are  all  the  immediate  surroundings  of  the  great  Obelisk 
made  to  bear  tribute  to  the  preeminence  of  this  represent- 
ative monument  and  the  glory  of  his  world-wide  benefi- 
cence. 


The  Fac-Simile  of  his  closing  account  with  the  Govern- 
ment (pp.  xiv.,  XV.,)  only  intensifies  ou?  appreciation  of  the 
simplicity  and  nobility  of  his  character. 

viii. 


HISTORY  OF  THE  OBELISK. 

The  Washington  Obelisk,  or  Monument,  fiftj'-five  feet 
and  one  and  a  half  inches  square  at  the  base,  and  five 
hundred  and  fifty-five  feet  and  six  inches  in  height,  is 
completed,  ready  for  that  tracery  upon  its  inner-facing, 
ah-ead}'  in  progress,  which  is  to  mark  it  as  the  perma- 
neiit  and  universal  memorial  of  a  Avorld's  tribute  to  its 
great  subject.* 

The  science,  energy  and  enthusiasm  which  inspired 
Colonel  Thomas  Lincoln  Casey  of  the  United  States 
Engineer  Corps  since  he  took  charge  of  tlie  work,  in 
1878,  are  inseparable  from  its  permanent  history. 

On  the  9th  of  August,  1783,  Congress  unauimously 
ordered,  but  never  erected,  an  equestrian  statue  to  the 
Memory  of  Washington,  yet  the  site  then  selected  by 
Major  L'Enfant  for  that  Memorial  is  the  same  which  is 
occupied  by  the  Obelisk  of  to-day. 

On  the  8th  of  May,  1800,  the  House  o'f  Representa- 
tives voted  that  a  Mausoleum  be  erected. 

*  The  Dome  of  the  Capitol  is  three  hundred  and  seven  and  one-half  feet  to 
the  top.  of  the  Statue  of  Freedom. 

ix. 


HISTORY  OF  THE  OBELISK. 

On  the  1st  of  January,  1801,  an  appropriation  of  two 
hundred  thousand  dollars  was  made  for  the  purpose ; 
but  the  project  was  again  neglected,  until  Mr.  Buchanan, 
afterwards  President,  but  then  ''a  young  man,  some- 
thing of  a  sophomore,  with  all  the  ardor  of  youth,"  as 
he  once  spoke  of  himself  respecting  those  efforts,  ap- 
pealed to  Congress  to  redeem  its  pledges. 

In  1833,  the  Washington  National  Monument  Society 
was  organized,  with  Chief  Justice  Marshall  as  its  first 
President,  succeeded  by  Ex-President  Madison. 

Such  was  the  delay,  that  on  the  12th  of  November, 
1846,  an  appeal  was  made  to  the  citizejis  of  New  York 
City  to  raise  half  a  million  of  dollars  and  build  at  that 
city.  In  a  pamphlet  of  sixteen  pages,  I.  S.  Lyon, 
"  Cartman  No.  2489,"  proposed  to  stretch  a  parchment 
subscription  list  from  White  Hall  Dock  to  King's 
Bridge  and  secure  a  sweeping  donation  without  dis- 
tinction of  sex,  party  or  condition.  Evacuation  Day, 
November  25th,  was  the  appointed,  but  fruitless  oppor- 
tunity, which  the  patriotic  and  enthusiastic  •  cartman 
selected  for  the  great  contribution. 


HISTORY  OF  THE  OBELISK. 

On  the  3rd  of  January,  1848,  Congress  took  action 
that  secured  the  entire  present  grounds  of  more  than 
thirty  acres,  and  Mr.  Thomas  Symonton,  of  Baltimore, 
donated  a  marble  block,  weighing  24,500  pounds,  for  the 
corner-stone,  Mr.  Robert  Mills  having  completed  an 
accepted  design  for  the  Monument. 

On  the  FOURTH  OF  JTTI.Y,  1848,  the  formal  cer- 
emonies of  Laying  the  Corner  Stone  took  place,  with 
combined  Military,  Masonic,  Civil  and  Religious  inci- 
dents, and  the  Oration  was  pronounced  by  Hon.  Robert 
C.  Winthrop  of  Massachusetts,  then  Speaker  of  the 
House  of  Representatives. 

At  that  time  the  accumulated  fund  had  realized  the 
sum  of  $62,450 ,  but  in  1854,  when  a  height  of  one 
hundred  and  seventy  feet  had  been  attained,  the  expen- 
diture had  reached  1230,000. 

February  22nd,  1855,  a  fresh  effort  was  made  to 
appropriate  |200,000  in  execution  of  the  vote  of  Jan- 
uary 1st,  1801 ,  but  it  failed. 

In  a   Report,  (No.  94,  2nd.  Sess.  33rd  Congress,) 

xi. 


HISTORY  OF  THE  OBELISK. 

Mr.  Ma}^  stated  that  each  State,  and  two  Territories 
had  contributed  stones,  and  after  referring  to  those 
received  from  Rome,  Switzerland,  Bremen,  Turkey, 
Greece,  China  and  Japan,  eighty-one  contributions,  he 
added  these  words,  "Such  tributes  are  our  highest 
trophies.  The  history  of  mankind  offers  no  parallel 
to  this." 

Four  years  kiter,  in  1859,  only  two  courses  of  stone, 
each  of  two  feet,  had  been  added ;  yet  California  not 
only  pledged  an  annual  donation  of  |1,000,  but  at  the 
election  polls  of  that  year,  realized  and  paid  to  the 
Managers  $10,962.01.  Other  contributions  were  numer- 
ous, including  man}^  from  Sunday  Schools,  and  Fire 
Companies,  as  Avell  as  from  all  the  organized  Benevo- 
lent Societies  of  the  country. 

In  1876,  Congress  took  hold  of  the  work  in  earnest; 
and  on  the  21st  of  February,  1885,  >,  the  ceremonies 
of  dedication  were  as  imposing  as  had  been  those  which 
inaugurated  the  work. 

By  the  common  consent  of  an  appreciative  people, 

xii. 


HISTORY  OF  THE  OSELISK. 

the  words  of  consecration  and  of  congratulation  were 
sought  from  him  who  had  so  hopefully  and  triumphantly 
predicted  its  destined  grandeur,  thirty-seven  years  be- 
fore. And  on  the  eve  of  his  79th  birthday,  May 
11th,  1887,  it  is  not  strange  in  recurring  to  the  realized 
conception,  that  he  thus  wrote,  to  a  fiiend :  ''This  is 
the  last  day  of  my  78th  year,  and  as  I  look  back  on  a 
long  life,  I  esteem  it  my  highest  earthly  privilege  to 
have  been  instrumental  in  doing  something  for  the 
honor  of  Washington." 

It  is  wise  to  converge  the  patriotic  sentiment  of 
thinking  people,  our  children  included,  upon  The 
VOICES  and  the  LESSONS  of  THE  OBELISK,  hop- 
ing thereby,  that  we  may  be  led  to  a  new  and  holier 
consecration  to  the  cause  of  Liberty  and  HUMANITY. 


xiii. 


WASHINGTON'S  ACCOUNTS. 


,  'a  <^Ja^^i:y^£r^v<y'?t^r7)^y<>tz^  ^  


^7 


WASHINGTON'S  ACCOUNTS. 


THE  OBELISK. 


I. 


UxDEB  the  dome  of  a  cloudless  sky, 


On  the  bank  of  the  Potomac  River, 


Facing  the  shaft  that  mounts  so  high, 


Bright  in  the  gleam  of  the  sunlight  shimmer; 


I  could  read  no  name  on  a  form  so  fair, 


Nor  guess,  as  a  pilgrim,  yet  untold. 


Why  marble  so  pure,  colossal  and  rare, 


Should  not  on  the  surface  its  cause  unfold. 


WASHINGTON. 


Born  February  22d,  (Feb.  11,  O.  S.),  1732. 

Survey er  of  lands,  at  16  years  of  age,  1748. 

Military  Inspector  and  Major  at  19,  1751. 

Adjutant  General  of  Virginia,  1752. 

Commissioner  to  the  French,  1753. 

Colonel,  and  Commanding  the  Virginia  Militia,  1754. 

Aide  de  Camp  to  Braddock,  in  his  campaign,  1755. 

Again  commands  the  Virginia  Troops,  1755. 

Resigns  his  commission,       '  1758. 

Married  January  6th,  1759. 

Elected  member  of  House  of  Burgesses,  1759. 

Commissioner  to  settle  Military  Accounts,  1765. 

In  First  Continental  Congress,  1774. 

In  Second  Continental  Congress,  1775. 

Elected  Commander  in  Chief,  June  15th,  1775. 

In  Command  at  Cambridge,  July  2d,  1775. 

Expels  the  British  from  Boston,  March  17th,  1776. 

Battle  of  Long  Island,  August  27th,  1776. 

Masterly  Retreat  to  New  York,  August  29th,  1776. 

Gallant,  at  Kij)p's  Bay,  September  15th,  1776. 

Battle  of  Harlem  Heights,  October  27th,  1776. 

Battle  near  White  Plains,  October  29th,  1776. 

Enters  New  Jersey,  November  15th,  1776. 
Occupies  right  bank  of  the  Delaware,  Dec.  5th,  1776. 

Clothed  with  "Full  Power,"  December  12th,  1776. 

Plans  an  offensive  campaig'n,  December  14th,  1776. 

Battle  at  Trenton,  December  26th,  1776. 

Battle  of  Princeton,  January  3d,  1777. 


2 


THE  OBELISK. 


II. 


Well  sliapen  by  ait,  with  lines  ever  true, 


Deep  courses  of  blocks  some  meaning  contain, 


No  fabric  like  that,  through  accident  grew, 


Or  sprang  without  plan  from  tlie  wide,  open  plain. 


It  rests  on  the  earth,  while  wedded  to  sky, 


Uniting  two  spheres,  below  and  above ; 


It  enters  the  realms  where  the  eagles  fly, 


It  is  based  on  the  soil  where  mortals  move. 


3 


WASHINGTON. 


British  driven  from  New  Jersej^  during  July,  1777. 

Marches  for  Phihidelphia,  July  13th,  1777. 
Battle  of  Brandywine,  September  11th,                '  1777. 

Offers  Battle  at  Westchester,  September  15th,  1777. 

Battle  of  Germantown,  October  4th,  1777. 

Winters  at  Valley  Forge,  1778. 

Battle  of  Monmouth,  June  28th,  1778. 

British  again  retire  from  New  Jersey,  1778. 

Again  at  White  Plains,  1778. 

At  Middlebrook,  N.  J.,  and  New  Windsor,  1779. 

Winters  at  Morristown,  New  Jersey,  1780. 

Confers  witli  Rocbambeau  as  to  plans,  1781. 

Threatens  New  York  in  June  and  July,  ,1781. 

Joins  Lafayette  before  Yorktown,  1781. 

Surrender  of  Cornwallis,  October  19th,  1781. 

Farewell  to  the  Army,  November  2d,  1783. 

Occupies  New  York,  November  25th,  1783. 

Parts  with  liis  Officers,  December  4th,  1783. 

Resigns  his  commission,  December  23d,  1783. 

Presides  at  Constitutional  Convention,  1783. 
Elected  President  of  the  United  States,  March  4th,  1789. 

Inaugurated  at  New  York,  April  SOth,  1789. 

Re-elected  for  four  years,  March  4th,  1793. 

Farewell  to  the  people,  September  17th,  1796. 

Retires  to  private  life,  Mai'ch  4th,  1797. 

Appointed  Commander-in-Chief,  July  3d,  1798. 

Died  at  Mount  Vernon,  December  14th,  1799. 


THE  OBELISK. 


III. 


In  form  it  is  vast,  substantially  wrought, 


But  it  holds  the  sway  of  some  magic  spell, 


Its  lines  and  its  leaps  are  full  of  the  thought, 


The  soul  of  a  nation  must  in  its  charge  dwell. 


Why  solemn  and  grand,  inspiring  with  awe,- 


Why  polished  and  bright,  enchanting  the  sight, 


If  it  be  not  a  shrine,  forever  to  store 


Memorials  that  honor  the  good  and  the  right ! 


WASHINGTON. 

In  Camp  before  Boston,  November  5th,  1775. 

Denounces  Religious  Bigotry. 

"  As  the  Commander-in-Chief  has  been  apprised  of 
a  design  formed  for  the  observance  of  burning  the 
effigy  of  the  Pope,  a  ridiculous  and  childish  custom, 
he  cannot  help  expressing  his  surprise  that  there 
should  be  officers  and  soldiers  in  this  army,  so  void 
of  connnon  sense  as  not  to  see  the  impropriety  of 
such  a  step  at  this  juncture,  at  a  time  when  we 
are  soliciting,  and  have  already  obtained,  the  friend- 
ship and  alliance  of  the  people  of  Canada,  whom  we 
ou^'ht  to  consider  as  brethren  embarked  in  the  same 
cause,  the  defence  of  the  general  liberty  of  America. 
At  such  a  juncture  and  in  such  circumstances  to  be 
insulting  their  religion,  is  so  monstrous  as  not  to  be 
suffered  or  excused  ;  indeed,  instead  of  offering  the 
most  remote  insult  it  is  our  duty  to  address  j)i-i^Wic 
thanks  to  those  our  brethren,  as  to  them  we  are  so 
much  indebted  for  every  late  happy  success  over  the 
common  enemy  in  Canada." 

6 


THE  OBELISK. 


IV. 


Dizzy  from  gazing  as  it  slowly  recedes, 


Weary  with  watching  its  great  expanse, 


With  none  to  explain  my  soul's  pressing  need, 


A  narrow  door  entrance  arrested  my  glance. 


As  we  plunge  from  some  banquet-hall  lighted, 


Into  blackness  and  chill  of  the  midnight  gloom. 


Was  the  scene  from  which  quickly  I  started, 


To  ask,  if  the  shaft  were  some  spirits'  home? 


WASHINGTON. 

In  Camp  before  Boston,  1776. 
Orders, 

"  Cards  and  games  of  chance  are  prohibited.  At 
this  time  of  public  distress,  men  may  find  enough  to 
do,  in  the  service  of  their  God  and  country,  without 
abandoning  themselves  to  vice  and  immorality. 

It  may  not  be  amiss  for  the  troops  to  know,  that 
if  any  man  in  action  shall  presume  to  skulk,  hide 
himself,  or  retreat  without  the  orders  of  his  command- 
ing officer,  he  will  be  instantly  shot  down  as  an 
example  of  cowardice ;  cowards  having  too  frequently 
disconcerted  the  best  formed  troops  hy  their  dastardly 
behaviour.''^ 


THE  OBELISK. 


V. 


The  flash  of  a  torch,  by  my  hand  extended, 


Disclosed  the  faint  glimpse  of  a  slow  ascent. 


And  with  cautions  of  care  which  I  heeded, 


I  resolved  to  find  out  what  the  Obelisk  meant. 


That  was  the  name  which  the  guide  had  imparted  ; 


Such  surely  were  reared  in  the  long,  long  ago, 


So,  upward,  with  zeal,  I  doubtfully  started 


The  secret  to  measure,  —  its  object,  know. 


WASHINGTON. 

At  Brooklyn,  Long  Island,  1776. 
Orders, 

"  Not  to  throw  away  any  fire." 

"Fire  first  with  ball  and  shot." 
The   Brigadiers   to   order  a   circle   to  be  marked 
round   the   several   redoubts,   by   which   their  officers 
are  to  be  directed  in  giving  orders  for  the  first  dis- 
charge." 

"  Small  brush  to  be  set  up  to  mark  the  line  more 
distinctly,  and  make  it  more  familiar  to  the  men,  who 
are  by  no  means  to  be  ordered  to  fire  before  the 
enemy  arrive  at  the  circle." 

"  Stop  the  scattering,  unmeaning  and  wasteful  firing  ; 
which  prevents  the  possibility  of  distinguishing  between 
a  real  and  a  false  alarm,  which  prevents  deserted  from 
approaching  our  lines,  and  must  continue  so  long  as 
every  soldier  conceives  himself  at  liberty  to  fire  when 
and  at  what  he  pleases." 

From  Instructions  to  General  Putnam,  August  26,  1776. 
10 


THE  OBELISK. 

VI. 

I  questioned  my  guide  of  its  possible  height, 

And  how,  the  ascent,  I  might  easily  gain; 

How  many  steps,  without  aid  of  the  sight, 

The  way  would  demand,  and  the  purpose  attain  ? 

He  answered,  in  numbers  carefully  told. 

Eight  hundred  and  eighty,  I  think,  and  five  ;  — 

Your  torch  will  quickly  all  mystery  unfold, 

If,  with  patience  and  zeal,  you  earnestly  strive." 

n 


WASHINGTON. 

As    A  Dictator. 

Congress  adjourned  on  the  12th  of  December,  1776, 
quite  precipitately,  and  at  the  same  time, 

"Resolved:  —  that  until  Congress  shall  otherwise 
order.  General  Washington  be  possessed  of  full  power 
to  order  and  direct  all  things  relative  to  the  depart- 
ment and  to  the  operations  of  war." 

His  Response. 

"  Instead  of  thinking  myself  freed  from  all  civil 
obligations,  I   shall   constantly  bear   in  mind,  that  as 

the  sword  was  the  last  resort,  for  the  preservation  of 

our   liberty,  so   it    ought   to   be   the  first  thing  laid 

aside  when   those   liberties   are   finally  established.  I 

shall  instantly  set  about  making  the  most  necessary 
reforms  in  the  Army." 


THE  OBELISK. 


VII. 


The  circles  were  checked  by  places  for  rest, 


And  quickly  my  torch  arrested  the  gloom, 


While,  as  my  path  upward,  I  steadily  pressed 


Each  landing  took  form,  as  ample  in  room. 


While  pausing,  anon,  my  torch  to  replace. 


Its  beams  lodged  their  rays  in  many  a  seam. 


Which  proved, —  to  be  messages,  chiselled  apace. 


The  pledge  of  a  history,  there  to  redeem. 


13 


WASHINGTON. 

The  Fiest  New  Jersey  Campaign. 

"  Thus,  by  an  army  almost  reduced  to  extremity, 
Philadelphia  was  saved,  Pennsylvania  protected,  New 
Jersey  nearly  recovered,  and  a  victorious  and  power- 
ful enemy  laid  under  the  necessity  of  quitting  all 
thoughts  of  acting  offensively,  in  order  to  defend 
itself.  All  Nations  shared  in  the  surprise  of  the 
Americans. 

"  All  equally  admired  and  applauded  the  prudence, 
the  constancy  and  the  noble  intrepidity  of  General 
Washington. 

"  An  unanimous  voice  proclaimed  him  the  saviour 
of  his  country ;  all  extolled  him,  as  equal  to  the 
most  celebrated  commanders  of  antiquity. 

"  His  name  was  in  the  mouth  of  all.  All  pro- 
claimed him  the  Fabius  of  America.  He  was  cele- 
brated by  the  pens  of  the  most  distinguished  writers. 
The  most  illustrious  personages  of  Europe  lavished 
upon  him  their  praise  and  their  congratulations.'* 

From  Botta's  History,  American  Revolution. 
14 


THE  OBELISK. 


VIII. 


These  seams  when  exposed,  as  letters  and  lines, 


A  mightier  mystery  revealed  to  the  sight. 


Time  present  was  lost,  reviewing  the  times, 


Since  Earth  had  its  birth,  with  the  advent  of  Light. 


All  lands,  of  all  times,  their  tribute  had  brought ; 


Their  emblems  and  voices,  everywhere  shown. 


Proclaim  that  all  Nations,  earnestly  sought, 


Their  homage  and  honor  thus  to  make  known. 


WASHINGTON. 

At  White  Plains,  1776. 

Order  for  March  into  New  Jersey, 

"Colonels  to  examine  the  baggage  of  troops  under 
marching  orders ;  tents  and  spare  arms  to  go  first  in  the 
wagons,  then  the  proper  baggage  of  the  regiment ;  no 
chairs,  tables,  heavy  chests  or  other  personal  baggage,  to 
be  put  in,  as  it  will  certainly  be  thrown  off  and  left ;  no 
Officer  of  any  rank  to  meddle  with  a  wagon  or  cart  appro- 
priated for  any  other  regiment  or  to  public  use ;  that  no 
discharged  men  be  allowed  to  carry  away  arms,  camp-ket- 
tles, utensils  or  other  public  stores  ;  recruiting  Officers,  so 
detailed,  to  proceed  with  their  duty;  no  boys  or  old  men 
to  be  enlisted,  and  if  so,  to  be  returned  on  the  hands  of 
the  Officer,  with  no  allowance  for  any  expense  he  may  be 
at." 

At  White  Plains,  1778.     The  Contrast. 

"After  two  years'  manoeuvring,  and  the  longest  vicissi- 
tudes, both  armies  are  brought  back  to  the  very  point  they 
set  out  from,  and  the  offending  party  at  the  beginning  is 
now  reduced  to  the  use  of  the  spade  and  pick-axe  for  de- 
fence. The  Hand  of  Providence  has  been  so  conspicu- 
ous, that  he  must  be  worse  than  an  infidel  that  lacks  faith  ; 
and  more  than  wicked,  that  has  not  gratitude  enough  to 
acknowledge  his  obligation." 

16 


THE  OBELISK. 


IX. 


One  Yoice  seemed  to  break  from  stone  after  stone, 


Washington  I  Washington  !  Deliverer  of  man," 


From  ages  long  past,  to  thee  we  have  come. 


For  thou  hast  revealed  true  Liberty's  plan ! 


The  Persian,  the  Syrian,  Egyptian  and  Greek, 


Oriental  and  Western,  alike  now  uiite. 


To  the  patriot's  praise,  one  language  to  speak, 


His  service  to  man,  to  bless  and  requite. 


WASHINGTON. 

The  Battle  of  Germantown.  1777. 

Count  de  Veegennes,  on  the  12th  day  of  Decem- 
ber, 1777,  thus  pronounced  judgment  upon  Washing- 
ton's military  conduct  on  the  4th  of  the  preceding 
October : 

"  Nothing  has  struck  me  so  much  as  Washington 
attacking  and  giving  battle  to  General  Howe's  army." 

To  bring  troops  raised  within  the  year,  to  do 
this,  promises  everything." 


On  ^he  very  day  of  this  declaration,  couriers  were 
despatched  to  Spain,  to  solicit  her  co-operation,  in 
joint  operations  against  Great  Britain,  in  behalf  of 
America. 

On  the  same  day,  Messrs.  Franklin  and  Deane, 
Commissioners  from  the  struggling  Colonies,  were 
officially  informed,  that,  "  The  King  of  France,  Louis 
XVI.,  in  council,  had  determined  not  only  to  acknowl- 
edge, but  to  support,  American  Independence." 

18 


THE  OBELISK. 


X. 


Columbia's  Wards,  l)y  sea  and  by  lake, 


From  ice  of  the  Xortli  to  l)laze  of  the  Gulf, 


In  then'  share  of  his  meed  do  fully  partake. 


With  mottoes  and  signs  their  triijute  to  speak. 


Thus  circling  within,  and  mounting  on  high. 


Xew  proof  gathered  fast,  of  purpose  in  view, 


All  tributes  to  blend,  the  far  and  the  nigh, 


To  Washington's  name,  so  great  and  so  true. 


WASHINGTON. 


Trying  Times  in  1778. 

"  Send  the  best  and  ablest  men  to  Congress.  They 
must  not  slumber  nor  sleep  at  home,  in  such  a  tmie  of 
pressing  danger, —  content  with  the  enjoyment  of  places 
of  honor  or  profit  in  their  own  states,  while  the  com- 
mon interests  of  America  are  mouldering  and  sinking 
into  inevitable  ruin. 

"If  I  were  to  draw  a  picture  of  the  times  and  men, 
from  what  I  have  seen,  heard,  and  in  part  known,  I 
should  in  one  word  say,  that  idleness,  dissipation  and 
extravagance  seem  to  have  laid  fast  hold  of  most  of 
them ;  that  speculation  and  an  insatiable  thirst  for 
riclies  seems  to  have  got  the  better  of  every  other  con- 
sideration and  almost  of  ever}^  order  of  men;  that- party 
disputes  and  personal  quarrels  are  the  great  business  of 
the  da}'-;  while  a  great  and  accumulating  debt,  ruined 
finances,  depreciated  mone}^  and  want  of  credit,  —  which 
in  its  own  consequences  is  the  want  of  everything  — 
are  but  secondary  considerations,  if  our  affairs  wore  the 
most  promising  aspect.  An  assembly,  a  concert,  a 
dinner,  a  supper,  will  not  onl}^  take  men  off  acting  in 
this  business,  but  from  even  thinking  of  it." 

From  letter  to  Col.  Harrison  of  Virginia. 


20 


THE  OBELISK. 


XI. 


ONW.-i.RD  and  np\yard,  through  the  slow  ascent, 


Pausing  to  study  each  novel  design, 


The  rays  of  my  torch  were  everywheve  sent. 


To  lose  not  a  gem  of  this  improvised  mine. 


Tablets  of  bronze,  in  the  richest  relief, 


Marbles  in  colors,  complete  or  begun, 


And  beautiful  shapes  surpassing  belief. 


From  every  known  country  under  the  sun. 


WASHINGTON. 

Congress  will  deceive  themselves,  if  they  imagine 
that  tlie  army  or  a  State  that  is  the  theatre  of  war 
can  rub  through  a  second  campaign,  as  the  last.  It 
would  be  as  unreasonable  to  suppose  that  because  a 
man  liad  rolled  a  snow-ball  till  it  had  acquired  the 
size  of  a  horse,  he  might  do  it  until  it  was  the  size  of 
a  house." 

From  letter,  Nov.  20th,  1780,  to  Gen.  Sullivan,  then  in  Congress. 

To  Franklin,  then  at  Paris,  Dec.  20th,  an  improved 
condition  of  affairs  is  noted.  "I  am  happy  in  assuring 
3^ou  that  a  better  disposition  never  prevailed  in  the 
legislatures  of  the  several  states,  than  at  this  time. 
The  folly  of  temporary  expedients  is  seen  and  ex- 
ploded, and  vigorous  efforts  will  be  used  to  obtain  a 
permanent  arm}^  and  carry  on  the  war  systematically,  if 
the  obstinacy  of  Great  Bi^tain  shall  compel  us  to  con- 
tinue it.  We  want  nothing  but  a  loan  co  enable  us  to 
put  our  finances  into  a  tolerable  train.  The  country 
does  not  want  resources,  but  we  want  the  means  of 
drawing  them  forth.'' 

22 


THE  OBELISK. 


XII. 


Each  Order  of  men,  of  signal  renown, 


Like  Mason  or  Templar,  and  Pythian  Enight, 


Combined  with  the  rest  some  panel  to  own, 


And  add  to  the  walls,  fresh  source  of  delight. 


A  model  of  column  on  Bunker  Hill, 


A  memorial  slab  from  the  Land  of  Tell, 


With  others,  united  in  zeal,  to  fill 


The  measure  of  tribute  deserved  so  well. 


WASHINGTON. 


Thirteen  Sovereignties  too  many  in  1780. 

"  Certain  I  am,  unless  Congress  are  vested  with 
powers,  by  the  separate  States,  competent  to  the  great 
purposes  of  war,  or  assume  them  as  a  matter  of  right, 
and  they  and  the  States  act  with  more  energy  than 
they  have  hitherto  done,  our  cause  is  lost.  We  can  no 
longer  drudge  along  in  the  old  way.  By  ill-timing  in 
the  adoption  of  measures,  by  delays  in  the  execution 
of  them,  or  by  unwarrantable  jealousies,  we  incur  enor- 
mous expenses  and  derive  no  benefit  from  them.  One 
State  will  comply  with  a  requisition  of  Congress ; 
another  neglects  to  do  it ;  a  third  executes  it  by 
halves ;  and  all  differ  in  the  manner,  the  matter,  or  so 
much  in  point  of  time,  that  we  are  always  uphill. 
While  such  a  system  as  the  present  one,  or  rather 
want  of  one,  prevails,  we  shall  ever  be  unable  to  apply 
our  strength  or  resources  to  any  advantage. 

"  I  see  one  head  gradually  changing  into  thirteen.  I 
see  one  army  branching  into  thirteen,  which,  instead  of 
looking  up  to  Congress  as  the  supreme  controlling- 
power  of  the  United  States,  are  considering  themselves 
as  dependent  upon  their  respective  States." 


24 


THE  OBELISK. 


XIII. 


Amid  these  tokens  of  a  World's  deep  love. 


In  the  silence  of  a  lingering  pause, 


I  caught  the  gleam  of  flashing  lights  above, 


And  by  the  chisels'  ring,  divined  the  cause. 


The  blocks  that  inner-face  the  mighty  shaft, 


Outnumber  far,  designs  as  yet  displayed ; 


Yet  cunning  art  had  well  defined  the  draught, 


Through  which  each  stone  might  be  as  well  arrayed. 


Intoning  Granite. 


26 


THE  OBELISK. 


XIV. 


And  now  upon  a  scaffold,  lightly  swung, 


Three  stalwart  men  were  busily  at  work. 


To  put  within  another  stone,  its  tongue, 


Intoning  it,  —  until  within,  should  lurk 


Some  precious  thought ;  —  conception  grand. 


To  be  like  those  below,  revealed 


To  Pilgrims  yet  to  come,  and  thus  command 


A  power  the  mighty  name  should  ever  wield. 


WASHINGTON. 


Orders  of  Louis  XVI.,  King  of  France,  to  Count 

DE  ROGHAMBEAU, 

Respecting  Forces  sent  to  America, 

^  "  The  troops  to  obey  Washington ;  to  admit  the  pre- 
cedence of  American  Officers,  of  equal  rank ;  —  on  all 
formal  occasions  to  yield  the  right  to  the  American 
Army,  and  bear  in  mind  that  the  whole  purpose  was 
heartily  and  efficiently  to  execute  the  will  of  the 
American  Commander-in-Chief." 


Washington's  Appeal  to  America  in  Response. 

"  This  is  a  decisive  movement,  one  of  the  most ;  — 
I  will  go  farther,  and  say,  the  most  important  America 
has  seen.^  The  Court  of  France  has  made  a  glorious 
effort  for  our  deliverance,  and  if  we  disappoint  its  in- 
tentions by  our  supineness,  we  must  become  contempti- 
ble in  the  eye  of  all  mankind ;  —  nor  can  we,  after ^ 
venture  to  confide  that  our  allies  will  persist  in  an 
attempt  to  establish  what  it  will  appear  we  want  in- 
clination or  ability  to  assist  them  in." 

28 


THE  OBELISK. 


XV. 


Work  on,  Good  Men  ! !  —  The  mallets'  sullen  thud, 


The  chisels'  ringing  click,  shall  never  cease ! 


Each  day  of  toil  embalms  some  grateful  word. 


To  be  disclosed  when  all  on  earth  be  peace  ! 


The  pent-up  echoes  of  your  earnest  blows 


Die  not,  though  lost  to  mortal  ear ; 


But,  as  a  wave  set  free,  forever  flows, 


You  bless  all  nations  far  and  near.t 


WASHINGTON. 


The  feint  movement  against  New  York  and  Staten 
Island,  before  joining  the  Army  before  Yorktown  then 
commanded  by  Major  General,  the  Marquis  de  LaFay- 
ette,  is  thus  explained  by  the  American  Commander- 
in-Chief  :  — 

"  That  much  trouble  was  taken,  and  finesse  used,  to 
misguide  and  bewilder  Sir  Henry  Clinton  in  regard  to 
the  real  object,  by  fictitious  communications  as  well  as 
by  making  a  deceptive  provision  of  ovens,  forage  and 
boats  in  this  neighborhood  is  certain." 

"  Nor  were  less  pains  taken  to  deceive  our  own 
Army,  for  I  had  always  conceived  when  the  imposition 
does  not  completely  take  place  at  home,  it  would  never 
sufficiently  succeed  abroad." 


30 


THE  OBELISK. 


XVI. 


Impelled  to  break  away  from  crowding  thought, 


That  blended  past  with  ages  yet  to  come, 


I  mounted  quickly  to  the  highest  loft, 


My  tiresome  journey,  with  its  end  to  crown. 


No  sooner  did  my  steps  the  day  reveal, 


Than,  dizzy  from  the  sudden,  narrow  height, 


I  seemed,  beneath  the  moving  clouds,  to  reel. 


As  if,  with  shaft,  away  to  take  my  flight. 


WASHINGTON. 


General  Order,  October  20tli,  1781, 

To  the  Allied  Armies  of  France  and  America, 
* 

"  Divine  Service  is  to  be  j^^rformed  tomorrow  in 
the  several  brigades  and  divisions. 

"  The  Commander-in-Chief  earnestly  recommends  that 
the  troops,  not  on  duty,  should  universally  attend, 
with  that  seriousness  of  deportment  and  gratitude  of 
heart  which  the  recomition  of  such  reiterated  and 
astonishing  interpositions  of  Providence  demand  of 
us." 


'62 


THE  OBELISK. 


XVII. 


Columbia's  Capital !    O  feeble  man, 


To  call  that  fringing  skirt  of  brick  and  stone, 


Described  by  radius  smaller  than  a  span. 


The  site  of  greatness  and  a  Nation's  home  ! 


Tall  buildings,  at  whose  portals,  some  with  awe, 


Look  up,  and  boast  aloud,  with  silly  pride. 


Have  shrunk  to  earth,  beneath  the  mighty  Law 


Which  dwarfs  the  human,  by  the  Heavenly  side. 


WASHINGTON. 

Fkom  Oeder  of  April  18tli,  1783, 

ANNOUNCING 

CESSATION  OF  HOSTILITIES 

Between  Great  Britain  and  America. 

"  Happy,  thrice  Happy,  shall  they  be  pronounced 
hereafter,  who  have  contributed  anything,  —  who  have 
performed  the  meanest  office  in  erecting  this  stupen- 
dous fabric  of  freedom  and  empire  on  the  broad  basis 
of  independency ;  —  who  have  assisted  in  protecting 
the  rights  of  human  nature,  and  establishing  an  Asy- 
lum for  the  poor  and  oppressed  of  all  nations  and 
religions." 

34 


THE  OBELISK. 


xvm. 


So,  as  beyond  the  narrow  mass  I  gaze. 


And  gather  States  and  Ocean  to  my  view. 


My  soul,  with  grateful  joy,  its  voice  will  raise, 


To  bless  alike  the  Old  World  and  the  New ! 


All  earth  has  come,  its  tribute  here  to  pay  ; 


All  times  shall  share  the  glory  here  revealed  ; 


All  hearts  shall  with  their  craving  ever  pray 


That  they,  with  us,  may  be  with  freedom  blessed. 


"strike,  Strike,  0  Liberty,  thy  Silver  Strings!" 


Author's  Note.  —  On  a  pavement  slab  before  the  chan- 
cel, in  Brighton  Chapel,  Northampton-shire,  England,  the 
Washington  family  ''Coat  of  Arms^^  is  displayed. 

Three  five-pointed  stars,  upon  an  azure  field,  with  paral- 
lel red  and  white  bands,  suggested  the  words  which  connect 
the  name  of  Washington  with  the  origin  of  our  national 
escutcheon. 

So  may  his  memory  endure,  while  the  stars  multiply;  and 
thus  shall  the  blood  -  stripes  only  deepen  the  gleaming  lus- 
tre of  the  white,  twin  emblems  of  the  sacrifice  and  purity 
which  assure  a  perpetuated  Republic. 


36 


WASHINGTON  ANO  THE  FLAG. 


I. 


Strike,  strike,  O  Liberty,  thy  silver  strings. 


And  fill  with  melody  the  clear  blue  sky  ; 


Give  swell  to  chorus  full,  —  to  gladness  wings. 


And  let  swift  heralds  ^\\'h  the  music  fly! 


Faint  not,  nor  tire,  but  glorify  the  record 


Whicli  honors  him  who  gave  the  Nation  life; 


Fill  np  the  story, — and  with  one  accord. 


Our  people  hush  their  conflicts,  —  end  their  strife. 


37 


WASHINGTON. 


Lines  by  Rev.  William  Jay, 

Written  on  a  Drawing  of  Mount  Vernon,  the  Home  of 
George  Washington. 

"  There,  dwelt  the  MAN,  the  flower  of  human  kmd, 

Whose  visage  mild,  bespoke  his  nobler  mind  ; 

There,  dwelt  the  SOLDIER,  who  his  sword  ne'er  drew 

But  in  a  righteous  cause,  to  freedom  true ; 

There,  dwelt  a  HERO,  who  ne'er  killed  for  fame, 

Yet  gained  more  glory  than  a  Caesar's  name ; 

There,  dwelt  the  STATESMAN,  who,  devoid  of  art, 

Gave  soundest  counsels  from  an  upright  heart ; 

And,  O,  Columbia,  by  thy  sons  caressed, 

There,  dwelt  the  FATHER  of  the  realms  he  blessed ; 

Who  no  wish  felt  to  make  his  mighty  praise, 

Like  other  chiefs,  the  means,  himself  to  raise ;  — 

Bat  there,  retiring,  breathed  in  pure  renown, 

And  felt  a  grandeur  that  disdained  a  CROWN." 


38 


WASHINGTON  AND  THE  FLAG. 


n. 


Shout,  shout,  ye  people,  now, — let  this  appeal, 


Spring  forth  in  measure  swift,  a  quick'ning  force. 


To  make  our  highest  pride,  the  Nation's  weal, 


Advance  unfettered,  in  its  onward  course. 


And  learn  ye  all  who  breathe  in  these  our  times. 


To  grasp  the  grand,  overwhelming  thought, 


That  he  who  led  our  troops  in  battle  lines. 


But  our  best  interest  ever,  ever  sought. 


39 


WASHINGTON. 


Gov.  Pownall's  Prediction,  January,  1780. 

"North  America  has  become  a  new  primary  planet, 
which,  while  it  takes  its  own  course  in  its  own  orbit, 
must  shift  the  common  centre  of  gravity.  Nature 
hath  removed  her  far  from  the  Old  World  and  all 
its  embroiling  interests  and  wrangling  politics ;  with- 
out an  enemy  or  rival,  or  the  entanglement  of  alli- 
ances. 

"This  new  system  has  taken  its  station  with  the 
nations  upon  earth. 

"The  Independence  of  America  is  fixed  as  fate." 


40 


WASHINGTON  AND  THE  FLAG. 


III. 


What  then,  this  story  strange,  demanding  thought! 


Why  challenge  liberty  to  lend  her  voice  ! 


Why  hallelujahs  full,  in  anthems  raise, 


And  bid  the  world  in  plaudits  loud  rejoice  ! 


Why  lift  the  banner  with  its  star-lit  folds. 


And  give  it  honors,  grandest  and  the  best, 


Unless  its  blood-stripes  and  its  stars  of  gold 


Bring  ransom  to  the  toiler,  to  the  weary,  rest! 


41 


WASHINGTON. 

"Geeat  Meadows"  and  ''The  Monongahela." 

A  journey  of  five  hundred  miles  upon  a  mission  to  the 
French  on  the  frontier  in  176B,  and  his  victory  in  the 
battle  of  Great  Meadows  in  1754,  made  him,  according 
to  Washington  Irving,  "  The  rising  hope  of  Virginia." 
In  describing  that  action,  Washington  himself  wrote, — 
"I  heard  the  bullets  whistle,  and  believe  me,  there  was 
something  charming  in  the  sound." 

In  the  battle  of  the  Monongahela,  where  the  neglect 
by  Braddock  to  follow  his  advice  cost  that  officer  his 
life,  and  ruined  an  otherwise  promising  campaign, 
Washington  received  four  bullets  through  his  coat ;  but 
fought  on  as  if  he  possessed  a  charm  against  injury 
which  neither  savage  nor  Frenchman  could  wrest  from 
him. 

Of  that  battle,  he  wrote,  "  We  have  been  most  scan- 
dalously beaten  by  a  trifling  body  of  men.  The 
dastardly  behaviour  of  those  they  called  regulars,  ex- 
posed all  others  to  almost  certain  death,  and,  at  last, 
they  ran  away,  as  sheep  pursued  by  dogs." 

42 


WASHINGTON  AND  THE  FLAG. 


IV. 


Hail,  Hail,  and  greet  we  all,  the  Stars  and  Stripes, 


Memorial  emblem  of  our  Nation's  sire ; 


Since  from  the  story  of  ancestral  strifes 


He  gathered  zeal,  which  did  his  soul  inspire. 


Fearless  and  keen  in  bitter,  border  battle. 


Careless  of  risk  while  dealing  blow  for  blow, 


What  did  he  care  for  ^^ell  or  rifle  rattle. 


If  he  in  peril,  only  duty  e'er  could  know? 


43 


WASHINGTON. 

On  the  ISth  of  June,  1775,  he  was  unanimously 
elected  Commander-in-Chief  of  all  its  Forces,  by  the 
Continental  Congress. 

Horatio  Gates,  four  years  his  senior,  a  Retired  Officer 
of  the  British  Army,  who  had  served  as  a  Captain 
under  Burgoyne,  in  the  battle  of  the  Monongahela,  was 
appointed  his  Adjutant-General. 

Charles  Lee,  also  a  British  Retired  Officer,  who  had 
served  in  several  Continental  wars  with  conspicuous 
daring,  became  the  senior  Major-General,  next  in  rank 
to  Washington  himself. 

These  officers  had  adopted  Virginia  as  their  home, 
upon  emigration  to  America,  and  both  had  personal  ac- 
quaintance with  the  Commander-in-Chief,  yet  neither 
had  his  diversity  of  experience  nor  that  instinctive  love 
of  America  as  native  soil  which  subordinated  ambition 
to  duty. 

The  choice  of  Congress  was  vindicated,  and  to 
remotest  time,  that  choice  will  be  respected  as  wisely 
made. 

4A 


WASHINGTON  AND  THE  FLAG. 


V. 


Faithful  in  early  youth,  he  did  his  work, 


And  filled  the  measure  ever  full  and  true, 


So,  thence,  to  him,  to  leadi  the  nation  looked. 


When  all,  to  arms,  in  holy  frenzy  flew. 


Grand  faith  was  that  to  inspire  our  sires. 


And  honor  him  so  true,  wjth  chief  command. 


And  fervid  be  our  joy,  while  beacon  fires 


Do  honor  to  this  hero,  through  the  land. 


45 


THE  DEFENDER  OF  HIS   COUNTRY,  THE   FOUNDER  OF  LIBERTY, 
THE    FRIEND    OF  MAN. 
HISTORY  AND  TRADITION  ARE  EXPLORED  IN  YAIN 
FOR  A  PARALLEL   TO  HIS  CHARACTER. 
IN    THE    ANNALS     OF    MODERN  GREATNESS, 

HE  STANDS  ALONE, 

AND  THE  NOBLEST  NAMES  OF  ANTIQUITY 
LOSE    THEIR    LUSTRE    IN    HIS  PRESENCE. 
BORN  THE  BENEFACTOR   OF  MANKIND, 
HE  UNITED  ALL  THE   QUALITIES  NECESSARY 
TO  AN   ILLUSTRIOUS  CAREER. 

NATURE    MADE    HIM  GREAT; 

HE    MADE    HIMSELF  VIRTUOUS. 
CALLED    BY  HIS    COUNTRY   TO    THE    DEFENCE   OF   HER  LIBERTIES, 
HE  TRIUMPHANTLY  VINDICATED   THE   RIGHTS   OF  HUMANITY, 

AND  ON  THE  PILLARS   OF  NATIONAL  INDEPENDENCE 
LAID   THE   FOUNDATIONS   OP  A  GREAT  REPUBLIC. 
TWICE  INVESTED  WITH  THE  SUPREME  MAGISTRACY, 
BY  THE  UNANIMOUS  VOICE  OF  A  FREE. PEOPLE, 
HE  SURPASSED  IN  THE  CABINET 

THE  GLORIES  OF  THE  FIELD, 

AND  VOLUNTARILY  RESIGNING  THE  SCEPTRE  AND   THE  SWORD, 
RETIRED  TO  THE   SHADES   OF  PRIVATE  LIFE. 
A    SPECTACLE    SO    NEW   AND    SO  SUBLIME 
WAS  CONTEMPLATED   WITH  THE  PROFOUNDEST  ADMIRATION  ; 
AND  THE  NAME  OF 

WASHINGTON, 

ADDING  NEW  LUSTRE  TO  HUMANITY, 
RESOUNDED   TO  THE  REMOTEST  REGIONS   OF  THE  EARTH. 
MAGNANIMOUS  IN  YOUTH, 
GLORIOUS    THROUGH  LIFE, 
GREAT   IN  DEATH, 

HIS  HIGHEST  AMBITION  THE  HAPPINESS   OF  MANKIND, 
HIS    NOBLEST   VICTORY    THE    CONQUEST    OF  HIMSELF, 
BEQUEATHING  TO  POSTERITY  THE  INHERITANCE  OF  HIS  FAME, 
AND    BUILDING    HIS    MONUMENT   IN    THE    HEARTS    OF    HIS  COUNTRYMEN, 
HE  LIVED  THE  ORNAMENT  OF  THE  EIGHTEENTH  CENTURY, 
AND  DIED  REGRETTED  BY  A  MOURNING  WORLD. 

The  author  of  this  Inscription  is  not  known.  It  has  been  transcribed  from  a  manuscript  copy 
written  on  the  back,  of  a  picture  frame,  in  which  is  set  a  miniature  Hkeness  of  Washington,  and 
which  hangs  in  one  of  the  rooms  of  the  Mansion  at  Mount  Vernon — where  it  was  left  some  time 
after  Washington's  death. 


WASHINGTON  AND  THE  FLAG. 


VI. 


Strike,  Strike,  O  Liberty,  thy  silver  strings. 


Bid  nations  many,  in  the  contest  try, 


Tell  them,  O  tell,  of  all  thy  mercy  brings. 


For  all  that  languish  here,  or  far,  or  nigh ! 


For  all  oppressed,  the  time  will  surely  come, 


When  stripped  of  fear,  and  hushed  each  plaintive  cry. 


All,  all,  will  find  in  Washington 


The  model  guide,  for  now,  —  for  aye,  —  for  aye. 


47 


BOOKS  BY  THE  SAME  AUTHOR. 


BATTLES  OF  THE  AMERICAN  REVOLUTION. 

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Published  by  A.  S.  BARNES  &  CO.,  New  York  and  Chicago. 
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"  It  is  an  absolute  necessity  in  our  literature." — Retisoit  J.  Lossiiig. 
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"To  me  ai  least  it  will  be  authority." — Ex-Prest.  Woolsey. 

"The  most  accurate  and  impartial  criticism  on  military  affairs  in  this  country  which  the  century  has 
produced." — Army  and  Navy  Journal. 

"  Fills  in  a  definite  form  what  has  been  a  vague  period  of  military  history." — Col.  Hamley,  Queen''s 
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Battle  Maps  and  Charts  of  the  American  Revolution. 

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makes  it  authority  for  teachers  and  pupils.  Furnished  by  the  Government  for  its  Post  Schools. 
Published  by  A.  S.  BARNES  &  CO.,  New  York  and  Chicago.    Price,  ^1.25. 


HISTORICAL  MONOGRAPHS. 

"Centennial  Oration'"  a1|Corner  Stone  ceremonies,  Monmouth',  N.  J.,  June  28,  1878. 
"Washington  as  a  Soldier,"  read  before  the  Long  Island  Historical  Society  in  1882. 
"The  Occupation  of  Brooklyn  a  Necessity  in  1776,"  read  before  the  New  York 
Yale  Alumni,  iSSa. 

"Strate(jic  Relations  of  Philadelphia  to  the  Revolution,"  read  before  the 
Pennsylvania  Historical  Society,  1885. 

'•Strategic  Relations  of  New  Jersey  to  the  Revolution,"  read  before  the 
New  Jersey  Historical  Society,  18S6. 

Also,  "Siege  of  Boston,"  "The  Atlanta  Campaign,"  "The  Battle  of  Shi- 
loh,"  '-The  Campaign  of  1862,"  Etc.,  Etc. 


AB-SA-RA-KA.   Land  of  Massacre. 

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With  Maps,  Portraits,  and  new  Illustrations.    Sixth  Edition  forthcoming;  being  the  expe- 
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uments called  for  by  the  U.  S.  Senate  at  close  of  the  Session,  March,  1887.    Price,  ^1.50. 


CRISIS  THOUGHTS.    The  Hour;  The  Peril;  The  Duty. 

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SOME  PHASES  OF  THE  INDIAN  QUESTION. 

With  Maps.  Being  papers  read  before  the  British  and  the  American  Associations  of  Science, 
with  official  account  oi  the  Phil.  Kearney  massacre,  etc.  C.  H.  Whiting,  Publisher,  Boston. 
Paper,  30  cents  ;  Cloth,  50  cents. 

HINTS  TO  SOLDIERS  TAKING  THE  FIELD  IN  1862. 

First  published  by  the  United  States  Christian  Commission.    New  Edition. 


